West Desert Border Patrol Agents Seize Two Tons of Marijuana

Narcotics Worth More Than $2.2 million

Tucson, Ariz. –Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector, a component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Joint Field Command-Arizona, seized more than 4,600 pounds of marijuana over the weekend with the assistance of air assets, a canine team and sophisticated surveillance technology.

Friday evening agents assigned to the Casa Grande station seized 25 bundles of marijuana and arrested one smuggler. The smuggler, a 24-year-old Mexican national, is now facing federal drug charges. The narcotics were located with the assistance of air assets assigned to Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine. The total weight of the marijuana was more than 1,345 pounds with an estimated value of $672,500.

Also on Friday evening, an Ajo Border Patrol agent and his canine partner working in the West Desert responded to smuggling activity. With the help of mobile surveillance technology, the team was able to locate 10 bundles of marijuana, totaling 509 pounds. The marijuana has an estimated value of $254,500.

Early Saturday morning, agents working at a West Desert forward operating base responded to reports of a suspicious vehicle near the United States/Mexico International Boundary fence. Following a search of the area, agents located an abandoned pick-up truck loaded with 120 bundles of marijuana. The narcotics weighed just over 2,740 pounds and have an estimated value of $1,370,000.

Drug and human smuggling are federal crimes for which offenders will face stiff penalties. The likelihood of being detected by Border Patrol agents and the consequences of doing so are higher than ever before in Arizona. As a result, smugglers often choose to abandon their loads rather than risk apprehension and the associated penalties.

Customs and Border Protection appreciates assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity by calling the Border Patrol at (877) 872-7435 and remain anonymous.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.